Here We Go: Bill Backed by Nancy Pelosi Would Force Public Schools to Let Transgender Athletes to Compete With Their Preferred Gender

April 13, 2019

The LGBT-themed Equality Act sparked immediate controversy when it was introduced in the House of Representatives last month.

But the pushback is only intensifying now that its implications are becoming clear.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat and co-sponsor, acknowledged this month that the Equality Act would force public schools to allow transgender athletes to compete in the sport of their preferred gender. The bill has 241 sponsors or co-sponsors — 238 of whom are Democrats. That is more than enough votes to pass the Democratic-controlled House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the sponsors.

“Arguments about transgender athletes participating in sports in accordance with their gender identity having competitive advantages have not been borne out,” Nadler said. “Sports have positive impacts on physical, social and emotional well-being, and we should not be denying transgender athletes those opportunities simply because sometimes they may win. Nor should their occasional success be used as a roadblock to advancing civil rights legislation for LGBT people as a whole.”

The Equality Act(HB 5) would amend several laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, education, federal funding, employment and housing.

Texas requires public school athletes to compete as the sex on their birth certificate. Under the Equality Act, Texas would be forced to allow transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity.